A24's horror film Backrooms collected an estimated 10.4 million dollars from Thursday previews, marking the studio's strongest opening ever.
The result on May 29, 2026, more than tripled the previous A24 benchmark of 2.9 million dollars set by Civil War in 2024. The film plays in 3,442 theaters and carries an estimated production budget of 10 million dollars.
Backrooms is directed by 20-year-old Kane Parsons, who first gained attention through his YouTube series of the same name. The feature stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and expands the liminal-space horror concept that originated in Parsons' online videos.
Updated projections released May 30 point to a domestic opening weekend between 76 million and 79 million dollars. Those figures would place the title ahead of several major studio releases scheduled for the same frame, including The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Early audience data shows particularly strong turnout among viewers under 35, who accounted for 87 percent of ticket sales since Thursday. The demographic skew aligns with the core fan base built by Parsons' original YouTube content.
Deadline first reported the 10.4 million dollar preview total and the revised weekend range. Variety had earlier projected a 40 million to 50 million dollar opening, while box-office analyst Scott Mendelson noted on May 29 that the preview number already surpassed Five Nights at Freddy's 10.3 million dollar start in 2023.
Industry observers are watching whether the film can become A24's highest-grossing domestic debut. Current tracking suggests the result will exceed the studio's prior best openings by a wide margin.
Friday estimates will determine if the 76 million to 79 million dollar window holds or expands further. The film continues to play through the Memorial Day holiday frame. The success underscores how online creators are reshaping theatrical releases with dedicated followings. Strong social media engagement and viral marketing helped drive advance interest ahead of the wide release. Theater chains reported brisk sales in major markets during the preview window. Analysts expect sustained performance through the extended holiday weekend as word of mouth spreads among younger viewers.
